Mobile multi-housing additive manufacturing installation

ABSTRACT

A mobile additive manufacturing installation ( 10 ) comprises a main self-supporting frame ( 12 ), a main manufacturing housing ( 14 ), at least one main additive manufacturing machine (M 1 ) installed inside the main manufacturing housing, a main inerting device ( 26 ), a main circulation path and a main airlock ( 34 ). The mobile installation also comprises at least one auxiliary manufacturing housing connected to the main manufacturing housing ( 14 ), at least one auxiliary additive manufacturing machine (M 2 , M 3 ) being installed in this auxiliary manufacturing housing, an auxiliary self-supporting frame ( 112 ) supporting this auxiliary manufacturing housing and independent of the main self-supporting frame ( 12 ), and an auxiliary circulation path ( 132 ) being provided in the auxiliary manufacturing housing.

BACKGROUND

The invention falls within the field of powder-based additivemanufacturing by fusing grains of this powder using a source of energyor of heat, such as a laser beam, a beam of electrons, or diodes, forexample.

More specifically, the invention is targeted at facilitating access toadditive manufacturing processes.

Currently, an increasing number of industrial sectors are becominginterested in additive manufacturing; mention may in particular be madeof the aeronautical industry, the motor vehicle industry, thewatchmaking industry, the nuclear industry, and the like. This isbecause additive manufacturing processes allow the manufacture of partswhich cannot be produced, or else with difficulty, with conventionalmanufacturing methods, which are moulding and machining for metal partsor injection moulding for polymer-based materials.

Consequently, there exist, on the market, various manufacturersproviding various additive manufacturing machines capable of meetingindustrial requirements.

To date, research and development efforts have mainly concentrated onthe productivity of the additive manufacturing machines for the purposeof reducing the operating cost of these machines and the cost price ofthe parts manufactured.

However, there exists a barrier with which industrialists wishing to useadditive manufacturing are confronted today: the safety of additivemanufacturing plants and more particularly the safety of the personnelrequired to work on additive manufacturing machines and in theirimmediate environment.

This is because additive manufacturing powders exhibit various dangers.

On the one hand, some additive manufacturing powders may containchemical elements which are allergenic or even toxic. For example, somemetallic additive manufacturing powders may contain chemical elementssuch as nickel or cobalt.

Subsequently, the melting of the powder grains releases fumes containinggases toxic to man.

Consequently, in order to overcome the abovementioned risks in a simplemanner, additive manufacturing powders are generally stored andtransported to the additive manufacturing machines in sealed containers,and the manufacturing chambers of the additive manufacturing machinesare closed housings.

In addition to the abovementioned risks, some additive manufacturingpowders exhibit the disadvantage of oxidizing on contact with the oxygenpresent in the atmosphere.

Consequently, in order to avoid such an oxidation, the manufacturingchambers of additive manufacturing machines are filled with an inertgas, such as nitrogen or argon.

This inerting of the additive manufacturing chambers may prove to bedangerous to the personnel located nearby. This is because, in the eventof leakage, the inert gas will gradually replace the oxygen and bringabout the asphyxiation of the personnel located nearby.

Consequently, it is an objective of the present invention to meet theabovementioned industrial requirements while guaranteeing an optimumsafety level for the personnel required to operate on additivemanufacturing machines and in their immediate environment.

SUMMARY

To this end, a subject-matter of the invention is a mobile additivemanufacturing installation, the installation comprising a mainself-supporting frame which makes it possible to render the installationtransportable by road, the installation comprising a main manufacturinghousing supported by the main frame and closed in leaktight fashion bypanels fixed to the main frame, at least one main additive manufacturingmachine being installed inside the main manufacturing housing, the mainadditive manufacturing machine comprising at least one manufacturingchamber inside which is carried out an additive manufacturing processconsisting in depositing additive manufacturing powder and in fusing thegrains of this powder using a source of energy or of heat, theinstallation comprising a main inerting device which makes it possibleto supply the manufacturing chamber of the machine with an inert gas andwhich also makes it possible to capture the inert gas contaminated bythe fumes resulting from the additive manufacturing inside themanufacturing housing, a main circulation path being provided in themain manufacturing housing in order to make it possible for an operatorto circulate around the main additive manufacturing machine, theinstallation comprising a main airlock for the entry and the exit of atleast one operator, and this main airlock being supported by the mainframe and closed in leaktight fashion by panels fixed to the mainself-supporting frame, an internal door makes it possible for anoperator to circulate between the main airlock and the mainmanufacturing housing and an external door makes it possible for anoperator to circulate between the main airlock and the outside of theinstallation, the mobile installation comprising at least one auxiliarymanufacturing housing connected in leaktight fashion to the mainmanufacturing housing, at least one auxiliary additive manufacturingmachine being installed inside this auxiliary manufacturing housing, themobile installation comprising an auxiliary self-supporting frame whichsupports this auxiliary manufacturing housing and which is independentof the main self-supporting frame, this auxiliary manufacturing housingbeing closed in leaktight fashion by panels fixed to the auxiliaryself-supporting frame, an auxiliary circulation path being provided inthe auxiliary manufacturing housing in order to make it possible for anoperator to circulate around each auxiliary manufacturing machineinstalled in this auxiliary manufacturing housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent in the description which will follow. This description, givenby way of example and without limitation, refers to the drawingsappended as an annex, in which:

FIG. 1 is a transparent perspective representation of a secondalternative embodiment of the mobile additive manufacturing installationaccording to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a top view of a first alternative embodiment of the mobileadditive manufacturing installation according to the invention,

FIG. 3 is a top view of a third alternative embodiment of the mobileadditive manufacturing installation according to the invention,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a “multi-housing” fourth alternativeembodiment of the mobile additive manufacturing installation accordingto the invention, and

FIG. 5 is a top view of a “multi-housing” fourth alternative embodimentof the mobile additive manufacturing installation according to theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a mobile additive manufacturing installation 10as is, for example, illustrated transparently in FIG. 1.

In order to be able to transport the installation 10 by road, theinstallation 10 comprises a main self-supporting frame 12 and a mainmanufacturing housing 14 supported by the main frame 12 and closed inleaktight manner by panels 16 fixed to the main frame 12, the panels 16being transparent in FIG. 1 in order to make it possible to display theinterior of the manufacturing housing.

More specifically, the installation 10 and the main manufacturinghousing 14 take the form of a parallelepipedal housing with left-hand18G and right-hand 18D side walls, front 20F and rear 20R end walls, afloor 22 and a roof 24; the panels 16 are used to close these differentleft-hand 18G and right-hand 18D, front 20F and rear 20R walls, and alsothe floor 22 and the roof 24.

The panels 16 are substantially watertight and airtight in order toprevent any dangerous leakage of gas, of powder or of liquid towards theenvironment external to the installation.

Preferably, the panels 16 are flame retardant.

As the invention relates to a mobile additive manufacturinginstallation, at least one main additive manufacturing machine M1 isinstalled inside the main manufacturing housing 14.

This main additive manufacturing machine M1 comprises at least onemanufacturing chamber inside which is carried out an additivemanufacturing process consisting in depositing additive manufacturingpowder and in fusing the grains of this powder using a source of energyor of heat, such as a laser beam, a beam of electrons, or diodes, forexample.

Mention may be made, among the different processes which can be employedinside a machine M1 installed in a installation 10 according to theinvention, of the additive manufacturing processes by powder beddeposition, by point powder deposition, by deposition of powder along apredetermined path, by the “directed energy deposition” technique,consisting in depositing a powder using a nozzle and in solidifying itat the outlet of the nozzle using a source of energy or of heat, or bydeposition of powder by spraying.

For the purpose of rendering inert the manufacturing chamber of the mainmachine M1, the installation 10 comprises a main inerting device 26which makes it possible to supply the manufacturing chamber of the mainmachine M1 with an inert gas, such as nitrogen or argon. Furthermore,this main inerting device 26 also makes it possible to capture the fumesresulting from the additive manufacturing inside the manufacturingchamber. Finally, the main inerting device 26 makes it possible tofilter the fumes in order to be able to reinject the inert gas insidethe manufacturing chamber of the machine M1, thus making possibleeconomic use of the inert gas in a closed cycle.

Preferably, the filters used to trap the particles of the additivemanufacturing fumes are of class F9 according to the filtration standardEN779:2012 and they make it possible to trap particles with a diameterat least equal to 1 micrometer.

As other gases, such as, for example, molecular oxygen, may be presentin a small amount, of the order of a few percent, in the manufacturingchamber of the main machine M1, the filtration carried out by the maininerting device 26 also makes it possible to separate the particles ofthe manufacturing fumes from these other gases in order for these othergases to be reinjected into the manufacturing chamber of the mainmachine M1.

As is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 3, a first delivery pipe 28makes it possible to conduct the inert gas, and optionally other gases,from the main inerting device 26 towards the manufacturing chamber CF1of the main machine M1 and a second discharge pipe 30 makes it possibleto conduct the fumes and a portion of the gases present in themanufacturing chamber CF1 towards the main inerting device 26.

Advantageously, a cyclone 31 present in the main machine M1 andpositioned upstream of the second discharge pipe 30 makes it possible toseparate the fume particles of at least five micrometers from the gas orgases extracted with the fumes from the manufacturing chamber CF1.

In addition to the filtration of the fumes, the main inerting device 26also makes it possible to manage the pressure of the gases presentinside the manufacturing chamber CF1 of the main machine M1. Thus, themain inerting device 26 makes it possible, for example, to lower thepressure of the gases present in the manufacturing chamber CF1 of themain machine M1 in order to avoid leakages of powder towards the outsideof the machine.

Advantageously, the main inerting device 26 is located outside themanufacturing housing 14. Thus, the main inerting device 26 is notlocated in an environment subjected to the dangers of the manufacturingpowders, which makes easier any human intervention on this device, suchas changing the abovementioned filters or maintenance operations.

However, in order to be easily transported with the main manufacturinghousing 14, the main inerting device 26 is itself also supported by themain self-supporting frame 12.

The installation 10 according to the invention is planned to accommodateone or more operators in the main manufacturing housing 14. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, a main circulation path 32 is provided in themain manufacturing housing 14 in order to make it possible for anoperator to circulate around the main additive manufacturing machine M1.Thus, the operator can charge a new additive manufacturing plate to themanufacturing chamber CF1 of the main machine M1, access the means forparameterizing the additive manufacturing cycle to be launched, anddischarge the additive manufacturing plate with the part or partsmanufactured.

However, due to the presence of operators in the mobile installation 10,the mobile installation comprises a main airlock 34 for the entry andthe exit of at least one operator. This main airlock 34 is supported bythe main frame 12 and closed in leaktight manner by panels 16 fixed tothe main self-supporting frame 12. More specifically, the main airlock34 is located in the extension of the main manufacturing housing 14 andit is isolated from this housing by a partition 36 made, for example, ofpanels 16. An internal door 38 makes it possible for an operator tocirculate between the main airlock 34 and the main manufacturing housing14, and an external door 40 makes it possible for an operator tocirculate between the main airlock 34 and the outside of the mobileinstallation 10.

This main airlock 34 constitutes a first barrier to leakages of powderas it makes it possible to prevent the interior of the mainmanufacturing housing 14 being brought into direct communication withthe outside of the installation. Advantageously, this airlock 34 is alsoused by the operators for putting on their items of protectiveequipment, such as overalls, gloves, glasses or masks with respirator,before entering the main manufacturing housing 14, and for taking offthese items of equipment before exiting from the mobile installation 10.

Apart from the main airlock 34 and still in order to improve the safetyof the personnel required to circulate in the area around theinstallation 10 and inside the main manufacturing housing 14, theinstallation comprises a main device 42 for treatment of the aircirculating inside the main manufacturing housing 14.

First of all, this main treatment device 42 makes it possible to supplythe inside of the main manufacturing housing 14 with air withdrawnoutside the installation.

Subsequently, and still for the purpose of replacing the air inside theinstallation, this main treatment device 42 also makes it possible towithdraw the air present in the main manufacturing housing 14 and in themain airlock 34. As the air which has circulated in the manufacturinghousing 14 may contain additive manufacturing powder particles, the maintreatment device 42 makes it possible to filter the air captured in themain manufacturing housing 14 and in the main airlock 34 beforeexpelling this air towards the air outside the installation. Preferably,the filters used to separate the additive manufacturing powder particlesfrom the air captured in the main manufacturing housing 14 and in themain airlock 34 are of HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) type andthese filters make it possible to capture powder particles with adiameter at least equal to 0.3 micrometer.

In order to limit leakages of powder towards the outside of theinstallation, the main treatment device 42 also makes it possible tomanage the pressure of the air present in the main manufacturing housing14 and in the main airlock 34. More specifically, this main treatmentdevice 42 is used to lower the pressure in the main manufacturinghousing 14 and in the main airlock 34 in order to retain the powdergrains and particles inside the installation. Preferably, the pressureof the air inside the main manufacturing housing 14 is less than thepressure of the air inside the main airlock 34, and the pressure of theair inside the main airlock 34 is less than the pressure of the airoutside the installation.

As the use of an additive manufacturing process releases a large amountof heat, the main treatment device 42 also makes it possible toregulate, and more exactly to cool, the temperature of the air presentin the main manufacturing housing 14 and in the main airlock 34.

At the same time as this temperature regulation, this main treatmentdevice 42 also makes it possible to regulate the degree of humidity ofthe air present in the main manufacturing housing 14 and in the mainairlock 34. This is because an excessively high degree of humidity inthe main manufacturing housing 14 can lead to the presence of water inthe manufacturing chamber of the main machine M1 and can harm thequality of the fusion of the powder grains and thus that of the partsmanufactured. Preferably, the degree of humidity in the mainmanufacturing housing 14 is kept below 40%.

For the purpose of reinforcing the safety of the operators inside themain manufacturing housing 14, the main treatment device 42 also makesit possible to monitor the molecular oxygen content in the air presentinside the main manufacturing housing 14. This is because, despite theleaktightness means with which the manufacturing chamber CF1 is equippedand all the possible precautions, it may happen that the inert gasintroduced into the manufacturing chamber CF1 escapes from this chamberand replaces other gases, such as, for example, molecular oxygen, in theair present in the main manufacturing chamber 14. More specifically, twoalarm thresholds are provided: a first alarm signal is generated whenthe molecular oxygen content in the air present in the mainmanufacturing housing 14 is less than 20%, and a second alarm signal isgenerated when the molecular oxygen content in the air present in themain manufacturing housing 14 is less than 18%. In practice, the firstalarm threshold is preventive and indicates to the operators that theyshould evacuate the main manufacturing housing 14, and the second alarmsignal is an alarm targeted at causing the main manufacturing housing14, and also the environment in which the mobile installation 10 islocated, to be evacuated.

Advantageously, the main treatment device 42 is located outside themanufacturing housing 14. Thus, the main treatment device 42 is notlocated in an environment subjected to the dangers of the manufacturingpowders, which makes easier any human intervention on this device, suchas changing the abovementioned filters or maintenance operations.

However, in order to be easily transported with the main manufacturinghousing 14, the main treatment device 42 is itself also supported by themain self-supporting frame 12.

The different components which make it possible for the inerting device26 and the main device 42 to perform the functions which have just beendescribed can take various forms known to a person skilled in the artassociated with each of its different functions. In particular, themeans, such as pipes, ventilators, extractors and fans, which make itpossible for the main device 42 to treat the air circulating in the mainmanufacturing housing 14 are neither represented nor described.

In order to supply the main inerting device 26 and the main treatmentdevice 42, the main additive manufacturing machine M1, and also anyother device present inside or outside the mobile installation 10 andrequiring an electrical energy supply, the installation comprises a mainelectrical cabinet 44 bringing together the power and control circuitsof the abovementioned devices and machine.

Advantageously, and like the main inerting device 26 and the maintreatment device 42, the main electrical cabinet 44 is preferablylocated outside the main manufacturing housing 14. Thus, this mainelectrical cabinet 44 is not located in an environment subjected to thedangers of the manufacturing powders, which makes easier any humanintervention, such as, for example, maintenance operations.

However, in order to be easily transported with the main manufacturinghousing 14, the main electrical cabinet 44 is itself also supported bythe main self-supporting frame 12.

More specifically, the main inerting device 26, the main treatmentdevice 42 and the main electrical cabinet 44 take the form of threeblocks placed side by side at the front of the mobile installation 10,against the front end wall 20F of the installation.

At the same time as supplying the main machine M1 with inert gas,treating the air circulating in the main manufacturing housing 14 andsupplying with electrical energy, the mobile installation 10 alsocomprises supplying with water. This water can be used for industrialpurposes, for rinsing or cleaning the parts manufactured or certainparts or components of the devices described above, and/or this watercan also be used by the operators to wash or to rinse certain parts ofthe body liable to be exposed to powder grains, despite the items ofprotective equipment.

Consequently, as the water thus used can contain powder grains withtoxic compounds, the mobile installation 10 comprises a main device 46for recovery of the waste waters. This main recovery device 46 takes theform of a container which makes it possible to temporarily store thewaste waters before they are recovered and treated by a specialistcompany.

Advantageously, the main recovery device 46 is preferably locatedoutside the main manufacturing housing 14. This main recovery device 46is also preferably supported by the main self-supporting frame 12.

More specifically, the main recovery device 46 takes the form of a blockplaced side by side with the inerting device 26, with the main treatmentdevice 42 and with the main electrical cabinet 44 at the front of themobile installation 10, close to the front end wall 20F of theinstallation.

In a first alternative embodiment of the mobile installation 10 asillustrated in FIG. 2, the main airlock 34 comprises only a single room.

However, in a second alternative embodiment illustrated by FIG. 1, themain airlock 34 comprises two rooms in communication with each other: anexterior room 34E, which is in communication with the outside of theinstallation 10 via the external door 40, and an interior room 341,which is in communication with the main chamber 14 via the internal door36, the interior room 341 communicating with the exterior room 34E viaan intermediate door 48.

This twin airlock 34 is advantageous as it forms a double barrier topossible leakages of powder during the entry/exit of the operators.

Of course, the main treatment device 42 makes it possible to provide forthe recycling of the air in these two rooms 341, 34E of the main airlock34 and to regulate its temperature and its degree of humidity.

At the same time, the main treatment device 42 also makes it possible tomanage the pressure of the air in each of these two rooms 341, 34E ofthe main airlock 34. Thus, preferably, the pressure of the air presentin the main manufacturing housing 14 is greater than the pressure of theair present in the interior room 341 of the main airlock, the pressureof the air present in the interior room 341 of the main airlock isgreater than the pressure of the air present in the exterior room 34E ofthe main airlock, and the pressure of the air present in the exteriorroom 34E of the main airlock is greater than the pressure of the airpresent outside the mobile installation 10.

For the entry/exit of different supplies or materials, such as, forexample, batches of pots of additive manufacturing powder intended tosupply the main machine M1, the mobile installation 10 comprises anauxiliary airlock 50. This auxiliary airlock has smaller dimensions thanthose of the main airlock 34, and it is, for example, provided through aside wall of the mobile installation, such as, for example, theleft-hand side wall 18G.

In order to make the products entering and exiting from the mobileinstallation 10 via the auxiliary airlock 50 easier to handle, at leastone handling tool 52 is provided inside the main manufacturing housing14.

This handling tool 52 is, for example, used by an operator in order tomove a container 54 intended to supply the main machine M1 with freshpowder, or in order to move another container 54 which makes it possibleto recycle the powder which has already been used to supply the mainmachine M1 but which has not been fused.

For the purpose of protecting the operators as much as possible fromexposure to additive manufacturing powder grains, the mobileinstallation 10 comprises a decanting device 56 comprising a housing 58closed in leaktight fashion, at least one window 60 which makes itpossible for an operator to see inside the housing 58, and glove ports62 which make it possible for an operator to handle powder pots 55inside the closed housing. Powder pots 55 should be understood asmeaning receptacles with a smaller capacity than the containers 54 andwhich can be transported and handled by an operator without the handlingtool 52. These powder pots 55 are leaktight containers used to store andtransport the powder under a controlled and preferably inert atmosphere.This decanting device 56 and its housing 58 are used to decant, incomplete safety, the fresh powder from the pots 55 into a container 54,and also to keep the powder under a controlled and preferably inertatmosphere.

Advantageously, and in order to retain the qualities of the additivemanufacturing powder by introducing an inert gas, such as nitrogen orargon, therein, the housing 58 of the decanting device 56 can beconnected to the inerting device 26 via the delivery pipe 28 and thedischarge pipe 30. Optionally, the pipe 30 can be connected to thehousing 58 of the decanting device 56 in order to remove the inert gasfrom the housing 58, for example when an operator has to open thehousing 58 in order to introduce pots 55 therein.

At the same time as the decanting device 56, the installation 10 canalso comprise a sieving device 64 which makes it possible to transferpowder from a first container 54 towards another container 54 whilecarrying out a sieving of this powder via a sieve 65. This sievingdevice 64 is used to recycle the additive manufacturing powder which hasalready been used to supply the main machine M1 but which has not beenfused. Optionally, the sieving device 64 can also be used to sieve freshpowder. For the purpose of this sieving, the fresh powder first of allhas to be decanted into a container 54, for example with the decantingdevice 56. Advantageously, and still for the purpose of protecting theoperators, this sieving device 64 is preferably arranged inside ahousing 66 closed in leaktight manner and located inside the mainmanufacturing housing 14.

Advantageously, and in order to retain the qualities of the additivemanufacturing powder by introducing an inert gas, such as nitrogen orargon, therein, the circuit of the sieving device 64 can be connected tothe inerting device 26 via the delivery pipe 28 in order to supply thiscircuit with inert gas. Optionally, the circuit of the sieving device 64can also be connected to the inerting device 26 via the discharge pipe30 in order to recover a portion of the inert gas blown into thiscircuit. The circuit of the sieving device 64 is formed by the container54 of powder to be sieved, the sieve 65, the container 54 for receivingthe sieved powder and the various connectors and valves located betweenthese elements.

The decanting device 56 and the sieving device 64 are particularlyimportant in the control of the circuit followed by the powder insidethe main manufacturing housing 14 and with regard to the safety of thepersonnel required to work in the main manufacturing housing 14 of themobile installation 10, or in another manufacturing housing of thisinstallation.

In addition to the devices described above and contributing to thesafety of the operators, the main treatment device 42 can comprise meansmaking it possible to saturate the air present in the main housing 14with an inert gas, such as nitrogen. This saturation with inert gasmakes it possible to prevent a fire from starting inside the mainmanufacturing housing 14. Of course, this operation can only take placeonce all personnel have been evacuated from the main manufacturinghousing 14.

In addition again, the mobile installation 10 can comprise a device 68for spraying, in the main manufacturing housing 14, a powder which makesit possible to inhibit a fire from starting.

In a third alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 and targeted atmaking possible the installation, in the main manufacturing housing 14,of a main machine M1 offering greater production capacities but alsoexhibiting a greater bulk, the mobile installation 10 comprises a module70 for extending the volume of the main manufacturing housing 14. Thisextension module 70 is self-supporting but fixed to the mainself-supporting mounting 12. This extension module 70 is providedopposite the location of the main machine M1 in the main manufacturinghousing 14. This extension module 70 makes it possible to widen the mainmanufacturing housing 14 close to the main machine M1 in order for thecirculation path 32 to make it possible for an operator to circulatearound the machine despite its great bulk.

With a similar objective of increasing the production capacity offeredby the mobile installation 10 according to the invention, and asillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the mobile installation 10 can comprise atleast one auxiliary manufacturing housing 114 connected in leaktightmanner to the main manufacturing housing 14, at least one auxiliaryadditive manufacturing machine M2 being installed inside this auxiliarymanufacturing housing.

Preferably, two auxiliary additive manufacturing machines M2 and M3 areinstalled inside this auxiliary manufacturing housing 114. One machineis installed at the front of the auxiliary manufacturing housing 114 andthe other machine is installed at the rear of the auxiliarymanufacturing housing 114.

In order to support this auxiliary manufacturing housing 114, the mobileinstallation 10 comprises an auxiliary self-supporting frame 112independent of the main self-supporting frame 12. Thus, this auxiliarymanufacturing housing 114 can be transported by road by another vehiclethan that transporting the main manufacturing housing 14.

Like the main manufacturing housing 14, the secondary manufacturinghousing 114 is closed in leaktight manner by panels 16 fixed to thesecondary frame.

More specifically, the secondary manufacturing housing 114 isparallelepipedal with left-hand 118G and right-hand 118D side walls,front 120F and rear 120R end walls, a floor 122 and a roof 124, thepanels 16 being used to close these different left-hand 118G andright-hand 118D, front 120F and rear 120R walls, and also the floor 122and the roof 124.

An auxiliary circulation path 132 is provided in the auxiliarymanufacturing housing 114 in order to make it possible for an operatorto circulate around each auxiliary manufacturing machine (M2, M3)installed in this auxiliary manufacturing housing 114.

For the purpose of connecting the two main 14 and secondary 114housings, each of these housings comprise at least one, preferablysectional, door 72, 172, and a joining corridor 74 is installed betweenthese two doors. This joining corridor 74 is also produced with panels16. Leaktightness means, such as, for example, seals, are provided atthe junction points between the corridor 74 and the doors 72, 172. Thisjoining corridor 74 makes it possible for the operators to freelycirculate between the main circulation path 32 of the main housing 14and the auxiliary circulation path 132 of the auxiliary housing 114.

As it is possible for the main housing 14 to be equipped with anextension module 70, the length L74 of the joining corridor 74 is atleast equal to the width W70 of the extension module 70.

Preferably, a door 72, 172 is located on a right-hand 18D, 118D orleft-hand 18G, 118G side wall of its housing 14, 114. In order to makepossible a flexible arrangement, each right-hand 18D, 118D and left-hand18G, 118G side wall of each housing 14, 114 comprises a door 72, 172.

Advantageously, by providing doors 72, 172 on each side of each housing14, 114, it is possible to connect a plurality of auxiliarymanufacturing housings 114 to the main manufacturing housing. Theinvention, of course, covers such alternative embodiments of the mobileinstallation in which two, three, four, and the like, auxiliarymanufacturing housings 114 are connected to a main manufacturing housing14, and in which at least one and preferably two auxiliary additivemanufacturing machine(s) are installed in each of these auxiliarymanufacturing housings 114.

For the purpose of rendering inert the manufacturing chambers of theauxiliary machines M2, M3, the installation 10 comprises an auxiliaryinerting device 126 which makes it possible to supply the manufacturingchambers of the auxiliary machines M2, M3 with an inert gas, such asnitrogen or argon. Furthermore, this auxiliary inerting device 126 alsomakes it possible to capture the fumes resulting from the additivemanufacturing inside the manufacturing chambers. Finally, the auxiliaryinerting device 126 makes it possible to filter the fumes in order to beable to reinject the inert gas inside the manufacturing chambers of theauxiliary machines M2, M3, thus making possible economic use of theinert gas in a closed cycle.

Preferably, the filters used to trap the particles of the additivemanufacturing fumes are of class F9 according to the filtration standardEN779:2012 and they make it possible to trap particles with a diameterat least equal to 1 micrometer.

As other gases, such as, for example, molecular oxygen, may be presentin a small amount, of the order of a few percent, in the manufacturingchambers of the auxiliary machines, the filtration carried out by theauxiliary inerting device 126 also makes it possible to separate theparticles of the manufacturing fumes from these other gases in order forthese other gases to be reinjected into the manufacturing chambers ofthe auxiliary machines M2, M3.

As is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 5, a first delivery pipe 128makes it possible to conduct the inert gas, and optionally other gases,from the auxiliary inerting device 126 towards the manufacturingchambers CF2, CF3 of the auxiliary machines M2, M3 and a seconddischarge pipe 130 makes it possible to conduct the fumes and a portionof the gases present in the manufacturing chambers CF2, CF3 towards theauxiliary inerting device 126.

Advantageously, a cyclone present in each auxiliary machine M2, M3 andpositioned upstream of the second discharge pipe 30 makes it possible toseparate the fume particles of at least five micrometers from the gas orgases extracted with the fumes from the manufacturing chambers CF2, CF3.

In addition to the filtration of the fumes, the auxiliary inertingdevice 126 also makes it possible to manage the pressure of the gasespresent inside the manufacturing chambers CF2, CF3 of the auxiliarymachines M2, M3. Thus, the auxiliary inerting device 126 makes itpossible, for example, to lower the pressure of the gases present in themanufacturing chambers CF2, CF3 of the auxiliary machines M2, M3 inorder to avoid leakages of powder towards the outside of the machines.

As has just been described, the auxiliary inerting device 126 isindependent of the main inerting device 26. Furthermore, the auxiliaryinerting device 126 is located outside the auxiliary manufacturinghousing 114. Advantageously, the auxiliary inerting device 126 issupported by the auxiliary self-supporting frame 112.

In order to prevent the main device 42 for treatment of the aircirculating inside the main manufacturing housing 14 from beingexcessively large, the installation comprises an auxiliary treatmentdevice 142 which will assist the main treatment device 42 in thetreatment of the air circulating in the different housings 14, 114.

This auxiliary treatment device 142 is independent of the main treatmentdevice 42. This auxiliary treatment device 142 makes it possible tosupply the auxiliary manufacturing housing 114, and thus the mainmanufacturing housing 14, with air withdrawn outside the installation.

As the air which has circulated in the housings 14, 114 may containadditive manufacturing powder particles, the auxiliary treatment device142 makes it possible to filter the air captured before expelling thisair towards the air outside the installation. Preferably, the filtersused to separate the additive manufacturing powder particles from theair captured are of HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) type andthese filters make it possible to capture powder particles with adiameter at least equal to 0.3 micrometer.

In order to limit leakages of powder towards the outside of theinstallation, the auxiliary treatment device 142 also makes it possibleto manage the pressure of the air present in the housings 14,114. Morespecifically, this auxiliary treatment device 142 is used to lower thepressure in the housings in order to retain the powder grains andparticles inside the installation. Preferably, the pressure of the airinside the manufacturing housings 14,114 is less than the pressure ofthe air inside the main airlock 34, and the pressure of the air insidethe main airlock 34 is less than the pressure of the air outside theinstallation.

As the use of an additive manufacturing process releases a large amountof heat, the auxiliary treatment device 142 also makes it possible toregulate, and more exactly to cool, the temperature of the air presentin the manufacturing housings 14, 114 and in the main airlock 34.

At the same time as this temperature regulation, this auxiliarytreatment device 142 also makes it possible to regulate the degree ofhumidity of the air present in the manufacturing housings 14, 114 and inthe main airlock 34.

For the purpose of reinforcing the safety of the operators inside themanufacturing housings 14, 114, the auxiliary treatment device 142 alsomakes it possible to monitor the molecular oxygen content in the airpresent inside the manufacturing housings.

Advantageously, the auxiliary treatment device 142 is located outsidethe auxiliary manufacturing housing 114. Furthermore, the auxiliarytreatment device 142 is itself also supported by the auxiliaryself-supporting frame 112.

In order to supply the auxiliary inerting device 126 and the auxiliarytreatment device 142, the auxiliary additive manufacturing machines M2,M3, and also any other device requiring an electrical energy supply, theinstallation comprises an auxiliary electrical cabinet 144 bringingtogether the power and control circuits of the abovementioned devicesand machine. This auxiliary electrical cabinet 144 is independent of themain electrical cabinet 44.

Advantageously, and like the auxiliary inerting device 126 and theauxiliary treatment device 142, the auxiliary electrical cabinet 144 ispreferably located outside the auxiliary manufacturing housing 114.Furthermore, the auxiliary electrical cabinet 144 is supported by theauxiliary self-supporting frame 112.

More specifically, the auxiliary inerting device 126, the auxiliarytreatment device 142 and the auxiliary electrical cabinet 144 take theform of three blocks placed side by side at the front of the auxiliarymanufacturing housing 114.

The mobile installation 10 also comprises an auxiliary device 146 forrecovery of the waste waters. This recovery device 146 is independent ofthe main recovery device 46. This auxiliary recovery device 146 takesthe form of a container which makes it possible to temporarily store thewaste waters before they are recovered and treated by a specialistcompany.

Advantageously, the auxiliary recovery device 146 is preferably locatedoutside the auxiliary manufacturing housing 114. This auxiliary recoverydevice 146 is also preferably supported by the auxiliary self-supportingframe 112.

More specifically, the auxiliary recovery device 146 takes the form of ablock placed side by side with the auxiliary inerting device 126, withthe auxiliary treatment device 142 and with the auxiliary electricalcabinet 144 at the front of the auxiliary manufacturing housing 114,close to the front end wall 20F of this housing.

In addition to the devices described above and contributing to thesafety of the operators, the auxiliary treatment device 142 can comprisemeans making it possible to saturate the air present in the housings 14,114 with an inert gas, such as nitrogen.

In addition again, the mobile installation 10 can comprise a device 168for spraying, in the auxiliary manufacturing housing 114, a powder whichmakes it possible to inhibit a fire from starting.

In addition, the mobile installation 10 can also comprise one or moreauxiliary modules 170 for extending the volume of the auxiliarymanufacturing housing 114. Each auxiliary extension module 170 isself-supporting but fixed to the auxiliary self-supporting mounting 112.An auxiliary extension module 170 is provided opposite the location ofeach auxiliary machine M2, M3 in the auxiliary manufacturing housing114. Each auxiliary extension module 170 makes it possible to widen theauxiliary manufacturing housing 114 close to an auxiliary machine M2, M3in order for the auxiliary circulation path 132 to make it possible foran operator to circulate around these machines despite their great bulk.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mobile additive manufacturinginstallation comprising: a main self-supporting frame which renders theinstallation transportable by road; a main manufacturing housingsupported by the main self-supporting frame and closed in a leaktightmanner by panels fixed to the main self-supporting frame; a mainadditive manufacturing machine installed inside the main manufacturinghousing, the main additive manufacturing machine comprising amanufacturing chamber inside which is carried out an additivemanufacturing process consisting of depositing additive manufacturingpowder and fusing grains of the powder using a source of energy or ofheat; a main inerting device configured to supply the manufacturingchamber of the main additive manufacturing machine with an inert gas andto capture the inert gas contaminated by fumes resulting from theadditive manufacturing process inside the manufacturing chamber; a maincirculation path provided in the main manufacturing housing along whichan operator can circulate around the main additive manufacturingmachine; a main airlock for entry and exit of at least one operator, themain airlock being supported by the main self-supporting frame andclosed in a leaktight manner by panels fixed to the main self-supportingframe, with an internal door between the main airlock and the mainmanufacturing housing and an external door between the main airlock andoutside of the installation; an auxiliary manufacturing housingconnected in a leaktight manner to the main manufacturing housing; anauxiliary additive manufacturing machine installed inside the auxiliarymanufacturing housing; an auxiliary self-supporting frame which supportsthe auxiliary manufacturing housing and which is independent of the mainself-supporting frame, the auxiliary manufacturing housing being closedin a leaktight manner by panels fixed to the auxiliary self-supportingframe; and an auxiliary circulation path provided in the auxiliarymanufacturing housing along which an operator can circulate around theauxiliary additive manufacturing machine installed in the auxiliarymanufacturing housing.
 2. The mobile additive manufacturing installationaccording to claim 1, wherein two main additive manufacturing machinesare installed inside the main manufacturing housing.
 3. The mobileadditive manufacturing installation according to claim 1, wherein twoauxiliary additive manufacturing machines are installed inside theauxiliary manufacturing housing.
 4. The mobile additive manufacturinginstallation according to claim 1, wherein there is more than onemanufacturing chamber inside the main additive manufacturing machine. 5.The mobile additive manufacturing installation according to claim 1,wherein there is more than one auxiliary manufacturing housing.
 6. Themobile additive manufacturing installation according to claim 1, whereineach of the main manufacturing housing and the auxiliary manufacturinghousing comprises at least one door; and wherein a junction corridor isinstalled between the door of the main manufacturing housing and thedoor of the auxiliary manufacturing housing.
 7. The mobile additivemanufacturing installation according to claim 1 further comprising: anauxiliary inerting device configured to supply a manufacturing chamberof the auxiliary additive manufacturing machine with an inert gas and tocapture fumes resulting from an additive manufacturing process insidethe manufacturing chamber of the auxiliary additive manufacturingmachine, the auxiliary inerting device being independent of the maininerting device.
 8. The mobile additive manufacturing installationaccording to claim 7, wherein the main inerting device is locatedoutside the main manufacturing housing and is supported by the mainself-supporting frame, and wherein the auxiliary inerting device islocated outside the auxiliary manufacturing housing and is supported bythe auxiliary self-supporting frame.
 9. The mobile additivemanufacturing installation according to claim 1 further comprising: amain treatment device configured to treat the air circulating inside themain manufacturing housing; and an auxiliary treatment device to assistthe main treatment device in the treatment of the air circulating in themain manufacturing housing and in the auxiliary manufacturing housing,the auxiliary treatment device being independent of the main treatmentdevice.
 10. The mobile additive manufacturing installation according toclaim 9, wherein the main treatment device is located outside the mainmanufacturing housing and is supported by the main self-supportingframe, and wherein the auxiliary treatment device is located outside theauxiliary manufacturing housing and is supported by the auxiliaryself-supporting frame.
 11. The mobile additive manufacturinginstallation according to claim 9 further comprising: a main electricalcabinet bringing together power and control circuits for the maintreatment device, the main inerting device, and the main additivemanufacturing machine; and an auxiliary electrical cabinet bringingtogether power and control circuits for the auxiliary inerting device,the auxiliary treatment device, and the auxiliary additive manufacturingmachine, the auxiliary electrical cabinet being independent of the mainelectrical cabinet.
 12. The mobile additive manufacturing installationaccording to claim 11, wherein the main electrical cabinet is locatedoutside the main manufacturing housing and is supported by the mainself-supporting frame, and wherein the auxiliary electrical cabinet islocated outside the auxiliary manufacturing housing and is supported bythe auxiliary self-supporting frame.
 13. The mobile additivemanufacturing installation according to claim 1 further comprising: amain recovery device for recovery of waste waters and an auxiliaryrecovery device for recovery of waste waters, the auxiliary recoverydevice being independent of the main recovery device.
 14. The mobileadditive manufacturing installation according to claim 13, wherein themain recovery device is located outside the main manufacturing housingand is supported by the main self-supporting frame, and wherein theauxiliary recovery device is located outside the auxiliary manufacturinghousing and is supported by the auxiliary self-supporting frame.
 15. Themobile additive manufacturing installation according to claim 1 furthercomprising: an extension module for extension of a volume of the mainmanufacturing housing, wherein the extension module is self-supportingbut fixed to the main self-supporting frame, the extension module beingprovided opposite a location of the main additive manufacturing machinein the main manufacturing housing.
 16. The mobile additive manufacturinginstallation according to claim 1 further comprising: an auxiliaryextension module for extension of a volume of the auxiliarymanufacturing housing, the auxiliary extension module beingself-supporting but fixed to the auxiliary self-supporting frame, theauxiliary extension module being provided opposite a location of theauxiliary additive manufacturing machine in the auxiliary manufacturinghousing.